Local Business Spotlight: Lock 50 aims to raise level of Canal District cuisine

Chef Tim Russo, left, and general manager Tom Studer plan to bring a distinct style to the Canal District culinary scene.

So what happens after you’re named Worcester’s best chef of 2015? Well, if you’re Tim Russo, you become the head chef of the soon-to-open Lock 50 restaurant in the heart of the Canal District.

With more than 15 years of cooking experience, most recently at Shrewsbury Street’s Volturno, Russo has honed his skills through practicing Italian, Cambodian and Indian vegetarian styles. Learning the ropes of the culinary business and establishing himself as a chef of diverse talents led Russo to cultivate a new endeavor: to bring back to life the history of the Blackstone Canal District through the tastes of contemporary American dishes.

Russo and General Manager Tom Studer expect a January opening for the 50 Water St. eatery.

“Growing up, I was not like most kids. Instead of watching cartoons, I spent my days watching cooking shows of Julia Child,” Russo says. “My grandfather and father watched cooking shows all the time. At the early age of 5, I knew I wanted to be a chef. As time passed, I applied for Worcester Vocational School to study culinary. I did well in school and after graduation, I went to Johnson & Wales [University] in Rhode Island.”

After the Water Street property was purchased by Russo’s uncle, Ed Russo — a city businessman and member of the Canal District Alliance — the notion of becoming head chef convinced Russo to take a next leap of faith and attempt to create a place inspired by his own flair.

“My uncle bought the place and wanted to turn it into an Italian restaurant. After I was given the opportunity to become head chef, I told him not to open” it, muses Russo.

Giselle Rivera-Flores / For Worcester Sun

Chef Tim Russo and GM Tom Studer expect a January opening for their new restaurant at 50 Water St., Lock 50.

“I have a strong Italian background. I learned to cook Italian food from an early age and when I started to work at Volturno’s, I learned more about authentic Italian cuisine,” he says. “I wanted something a bit more original and I thought that a contemporary American restaurant would be a better fit.”

Russo’s work ethic, passion for distinguished tastes and culinary acumen paid off in a major way at Volturno, when he was crowned Worcester’s Best Chef in this year’s Chopped-style competition. Russo worked under the winner of the 2014 Best Chef award, Neil Rogers, at Volturno for almost two years, when he was presented with the break to become a participant.

Rogers is now executive chef du cuisine for Niche Hospitality Group of Worcester’s latest venture, The Test Kitchen at 30 Major Taylor Blvd.

“Winning the Best Chef award solidified my ability to take on this project,” says Russo.

So where does the name Lock 50 come from?

The Blackstone Canal stood as both a major feat of engineering and an even more consequential trade artery between Worcester and Providence during the Industrial Revolution. There were 49 locks along the man-made route. The locks were used for raising and lowering boats, ships and other watercraft between stretches of water at different levels.

“Since there were 49 locks along the canal and our space is located on 50 Water St., it was only right to name it Lock 50,” says Studer, a Johnson & Wales University grad.

Lock 50 will breathe culinary artistry into the streets of the Canal District. Its unique combination of offering a relaxed setting for breakfast and lunch while shifting the atmosphere to an intimate dining experience, serving up the flavors of fresh foods from local farmers for dinner, can be the competitive advantage it needs to position itself as the newest hot spot in Worcester’s foodie culture. “Our rustic feel will be a part of our dishes,” says Studer.

With a background in food and beverage management, Studer jumped at the opportunity to manage the coming-soon corner spot.

Russo and Studer seem to complement each other with their visions of Lock 50. While still working out the kinks of the creative menu, Russo explains that his dishes will remain nameless. “I am personally not going to name the dishes. The menu will list the foods as they are,” he says.

Studer is in charge of the Lock 50 bar, which seems to be the apple of his eye. “I am going to bring some drinks to Worcester that no one has ever seen before,” he says, adding that the bar itself will take a backseat to the drinks being served. “The bar will remain small and intimate,” he says, “but will offer some amazing cocktails.”

Until January, Lock 50 will keep its unsolved mysteries under wraps as the team continues to develop the menu and atmosphere of the restaurant.

Giselle Rivera-Flores / For Worcester Sun

Lock 50 chef Tim Russo, left, and general manager Tom Studer spend a rare moment at rest amid their preparations for a January opening.

This article was originally published in the Nov. 15, 2015 edition of the Sun.

Giselle Rivera-Flores intertwines her love of all things innovative with her passions for writing. A writer for Worcester Sun and Mass Foodies, Giselle plays an active role in the Worcester community. As founder of The Learning Hub, a STEAM maker program for local libraries (and co-founder of Woopreneur, a branch of IGWorcesterMA) Giselle connects students with academic tools of success during the day while connecting the entrepreneurial community through events and workshops at night. Working as a professional writer with an extensive background in business development, she has evolved into a connoisseur of words and brand. Currently working on a book titled, "Smash Goals," Giselle resides in Worcester with her husband and two daughters.

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